Awards for inspiration

New Zealand retailer Michael Hill was one of 50 finalists in the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year awards held in Monte Carlo. Last year in New Zealand, judging panel chairman David Johnson said Hill had the attributes and achievements that defined entrepreneurship. “The wealth, the public company, the family ethic, he is the kind of person every entrepreneur would want to become.” As of the end of 2008 the company had 234 stores across New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the US. For the six months to December it produced $227 million in sales.